109 years ago today, the first motorised taxicab in USA started in NYC

Have you ever been overcharged in a taxicab? Harry N. Allen had, over 109 years ago, and what he did about it changed the face of city transport.

After being charged five dollars ($126.98 adjusted) for a hansom cab, the horse drawn two seat carriages, Allen decided to start a taxicab service in New York City. He imported 65 gasoline-powered cars from France and launched the New York Taxicab Company. The Taxicab Company started life with green and red cars, later being painted the iconic yellow color we all know and love, to make them easier to see from a distance. By 1908 they had almost 700 cabs on the road.

So from us at SecretNYC, to you… Happy Birthday Taxicabs!